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Warwick Sport

Team pickleball (doubles) league rules

1. Organisation

The League is organised and delivered by Warwick Active. The league will be managed by the Warwick Sport Tennis Development Officer. The Tennis Development Officer and the league activator will have final say on all matters of the league.

2. Squads

  • The squad may consist of between 2 and 4 players, with a minimum of 2 players forming a team for each match.

  • Once the team captain has paid/registered the team, all other team members are required to sign up. The captain will be emailed about this process after registering their team.

  • Teams with unregistered players may potentially be removed from the league. Random spot checks will take place throughout the league to ensure all participants are registered.

  • Each team is restricted to one first team university team player or two second/ third team players.

3. General Rules

  • Unless stated, play will follow the Pickleball England Rules
  • A team will consist of 2-4 players, where each pair plays the opposing pair.
  • Only 2 players per team will play at a time however players can be substituted at the change of ends. No limit to how many substitutions there are.
  • Each match will be best of 3 sets, with each set being first to 11 points, win by 2.
  • 3 points will be awarded for a win and 0 for a loss.
  • If a team of 2 cannot be fielded, the opposition will get a walkover (11-0,11-0) and 3 points.
  • Pickleball Specific Rules:
    • The serve:
      • The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and must land within the confines of the opposite diagonal court.
      • Only one serve attempt is allowed per server.
    • Serving Sequence:
      • Both players on the serving doubles team have the opportunity to serve and score points until they commit a fault *(except for the first service sequence of each new game).
      • The first serve of each side-out is made from the right/even court.
      • If a point is scored, the server switches sides and the server initiates the next serve from the left/odd court.
      • As subsequent points are scored, the server continues switching back and forth until a fault is committed, and the first server loses the serve.
      • When the first server loses the serve the partner then serves from their correct side of the court (except for the first service sequence of the game*).

        ·The second server continues serving until his team commits a fault and loses the serve to the opposing team.

      • Once the service goes to the opposition (at side out), the first serve is from the right/even court and both players on that team have the opportunity to serve and score points until their team commits two faults.

      • In singles the server serves from the right/even court when his or her score is even and from the left/odd when the score is odd.

      • *At the beginning of each new game only one partner on the serving team has the opportunity to serve before faulting, after which the service passes to the receiving team.

    • Scoring:
      • Points are scored only by the serving team.
      • Games are normally played to 11 points, win by 2.
      • When the serving team’s score is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) the player who was the first server in the game for that team will be in the right/even court when serving or receiving; when odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) that player will be in the left/odd court when serving or receiving.
    • Two-bounce Rule:
      • When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce before returning, and then the serving team must let it bounce before returning, thus two bounces.
      • After the ball has bounced once in each team’s court, both teams may either volley the ball (hit the ball before it bounces) or play it off a bounce (ground stroke).
      • The two-bounce rule eliminates the serve and volley advantage and extends rallies.
    • Line Calls:
      • A ball contacting any part of any line, except the non-volley zone line on a serve, is considered “in.”
      • A serve contacting the non-volley zone line is short and a fault.
    • Non-volley Zone:
      • The non-volley zone is the court area within 7 feet on both sides of the net.
      • Volleying is prohibited within the non-volley zone. This rule prevents players from executing smashes from a position within the zone.
      • It is a fault if, when volleying a ball, the player steps on the non-volley zone, including the line and/or when the player’s momentum causes them or anything they are wearing or carrying to touch the non-volley zone including the associated lines.
      • It is a fault if, after volleying, a player is carried by momentum into or touches the non-volley zone, even if the volleyed ball is declared dead before this happens.
      • A player may legally be in the non-volley zone any time other than when volleying a ball.
    • Faults:
      • A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation.
      • A fault by the receiving team results in a point for the serving team.
      • A fault by the serving team results in the server’s loss of serve or side out.

Fixtures

  • All fixtures for the term will be uploaded onto Playwaze by the League Activator.
  • If a team cannot make a fixture, they must inform the organisers as soon as possible and at least 72 hours before the match. Failure to do so will result in a walkover for that match and the match will not be rescheduled.
  • The date, time and location of the fixture can only be changed with the permission of the League organisers.
  • Results will be entered by the league activator not team captains.

4. Equipment & Referees

  • All matches will be played using Tennis balls which will be provided by Warwick Sport. Tennis rackets will be available if necessary.
  • All matches will be self-officiated between teams with an organiser there to assist when possible.

5. League position

League position shall be decided upon:

  • Total league points obtained.
  • Points difference
  • Matches won.
  • Head-to-head record between the two tied teams.

6. League refunds

  • League refunds will only be issued if Warwick Sport are required to cancel the league for any reason such as another Lockdown occurring whereby it will be impossible to complete the league.
  • Should Warwick Sport be required to cancel the league for any reason, a refund will be issued on a pro rata basis (amount allocated to each scheduled game) and NOT the initial fee paid upon entry into the league.
  • Refunds will not be issued for teams failing to attend fixtures at any point during the time allocated for the league.
  • Where possible and if given enough notice (72+ hours) is provided to the league organiser and Warwick Sport will reschedule the fixture for a date and time during the same term. It is the team’s responsibility to turn up and attend the rescheduled game.
  • Warwick Sport will not refund any teams who fail to turn up to rescheduled games.

7. Disputes

Disputes during play shall be put to the League organiser and resolved. The league organiser’s decision is final.

Any cancellations, queries or disputes are to be sent to warwickactive@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window

8. Conduct

Should a player indulge in any actions that are deemed by the organiser to be detrimental to the good spirit of the league, then the organiser is entitled to take whatever action is deemed appropriate. This may include, but is not limited to, suspension of players, loss of position/points or exclusion from the competition. Such penalties are subject to the approval of the League Organiser, whose decision is final.